have an interview and am pregnant

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2010

Hi Mel. I've never been in this position, but when my gf got married, she was in a job. She was asked after getting married if she was planning on having kids soon. She said yes in a few years & she was sacked. Her hubby took them to court but they couldn't prove discrimination. I would not tell you to lie, but you could say you just found out maybe? Then again you are under no obligation to tell an employer if you are pg. But they might do a urine dipstick - I have had to do this before getting accepted for a job & they may find out.

Maybe best to be honest? Hope things work out 4 u!

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2010

yeah I am in a state that is employment at will, so there is also the fear that if I tell after I am employed that I will be let go for some random reason (but of course I will know will have to do with the pregnancy). I feel as if this is a lose-lose situation no matter how I approach this, which is rather unfortunate as this would be my dream job.

rosey2007 · Jul 27, 2010

I was trying to find a job a couple of months ago pregnant and I had the same question. I still wonder is it was because I was pregnant that I did not get the job, or if it was my resume. I did not find a job and now am waiting until the after the baby is born until I find employment.

You might try a temp agency to hire you until you have the baby?

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2010

I was trying to find a job a couple of months ago pregnant and I had the same question. I still wonder is it was because I was pregnant that I did not get the job, or if it was my resume. I did not find a job and now am waiting until the after the baby is born until I find employment.
You might try a temp agency to hire you until you have the baby?

did you tell them at the interview that you were pregnant? or was it obvious that you were (I can still hide my small bump-for now at least).

ruralgirl08 · Jul 27, 2010

I was in the same boat, applied for a job and I am 18 weeks pregnant. I decided to be upfront and honest as I am showing. We set up the interview, hours later they called back to confirm my interview time. They would require 3 months + probationary period, and they said there were a lot of applicants. I kind of got the impression I didn't have a chance at this job at this time. I ended up contacting the lady to keep my resume on file for 6 months down the road. She told me if they don't contact me, contact them in the future. I learned my lesson, I don't think that job hunting is a very good idea when you are pregnant. Also switching jobs, may jeopardize any maternity benefits if you currently have them. But best of luck to you. I am sure some people do get hired while pregnant, but the odds are not that great if there is a lot of competition.

MsTosh, RN · Jul 27, 2010

I would not speak about the pregnancy. If you are showing then he/she can assume you are pregnant. Your not their to discuss your personal life. I would maintain professional and presence my credentials.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2010

I would not speak about the pregnancy. If you are showing then he/she can assume you are pregnant. Your not their to discuss your personal life. I would maintain professional and presence my credentials.

I absolutely have no plans of doing so at the interview. My question now is when do I tell?

CNL2B · Jul 27, 2010

I had to do this -- moved in the middle of a pregnancy and needed the income until I had the baby. I was about 5 months so it was obvious when I was interviewing and we didn't talk about it. I would bring it up as soon as you can after you have actually started (are on board, starting orientation, etc) so your employer has as much time as they can to cover your maternity leave.

Be aware your employer does not have to grant you 12 weeks of FFLA for your maternity leave -- that only applies after you have been employed for a year. Your doc will write you a letter as far as how long you need to be off for medical leave for yourself, but for a lady partsl delivery they are usually only giving you 4-6 weeks these days. C-sections are a few more weeks.

Also be aware that you might get some pushback from coworkers and even supervisors because you are going out on leave so soon. This is discriminatory. It happened to me. I chose not to follow up on it because I needed my job and what I had to deal with was mostly just a verbal commentary, etc. How you choose to handle that is up to you. I am sure I could have gone to my facility's EEO person and pitched a fit if I had wanted to, but it wasn't worth it to me at the time -- I had a job, which was what I needed.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2010

I already knew I wouldn't qualify for 12 weeks. My husband and I went into this pregnancy knowing that if I were working, I wouldn't get more than 6. That is not a problem for us.

So I guess I will just see how this interview goes and then go from there. Thanks CNL2B.

country mom · Jul 27, 2010

If you are offered the job, then they will more than likely require a post-offer medical exam. It's likely that this exam will ask for current health history and LMP. I found myself in the same situation, changing jobs right after I first got pregnant. No, I did not reveal the issue during the interview, nor are they allowed to ask. The pregnancy was revealed when I went for my post-offer physical. The majority of nurses are women. Women have babies. It's a fact of life.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2010

You have to tell the because you won't qualify for fmla so they wouldn't be required to hold your job for you when you had the baby. Sorry but i think being honest upfront will put you on better footing